MDOT’s benchmark and selection process was initiated because Caice, acquired by Autodesk in 2002, is a discontinued product. MDOT currently uses other software from both Bentley and Autodesk, and could have purchased the winner of the benchmark using existing contracts from either company.

Looking to identify software that would complement agency processes and exceed the existing capabilities provided in Caice, MDOT invited Bentley and Autodesk to participate in an April 13 benchmark and provided each with MDOT process-related data sets to review in advance. At the time of the product demonstration, MDOT gave the participants a second, similar data set to be used to execute 113 tasks relevant to agency workflows and methodologies.

MDOT will use Power Geopak to streamline methods used to create survey deliverables for the agency design team, which has long used Bentley’s layered, MicroStation-based Geopak software for civil engineering and transportation design projects. Going forward, survey data will be created and delivered within the Geopak environment, instead of handing off to Caice. Another advantage for MDOT is Power Geopak’s ability to work with the Bentley ProjectWise project team collaboration platform, already in use throughout MDOT.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has direct jurisdiction over Michigan’s 9,655-mile state highway system, comprising all the Interstate, U.S.-, and M-numbered routes. The state also owns 4,641 highway, railroad and pedestrian bridges; 530 miles of railroad track (managed by private operators); 103 miles of non-motorized trails; and four airports.